Timing Question

[Camel]

Do you need to retime after swapping in a set of 240/248 cams from a 91 or just make sure no teeth jump?

Any help would be appreciated. Can't find much on "search" since the server move.

A link to a step by step would be nice if anyone knows one.

[180fan]

just make sure your timing is ok. No need to redo your timing chain. What helps when changing your cams is to use zip ties to hold the chain in place on the cam sprockets when you're changing your cams.

[Camel]

So this is literally a bolt-on type thing. Just need a good torque wrench for the caps and the gears.

[Nismo_Freak]

Cam Bolts - 125 ft. lbs. Cap Bolts - 8 ft. lbs.

Be sure to loosen and tighten the cam caps in the correct sequence.

Yes it's a bolt on thing, but you'll need to check the valve lash (basically make sure your shims are correct) since the KA has mechanical lash adjustment. Incorrect lash sounds like a worn out lifter... loud valvetrain operation and it gets faster and louder with RPMs.

The KA is interferance so VERIFY your cam timing.

Set the engine at TDC on cylinder one (basically line up the cam timing marks and the timing chain marks). It allows you to visually see if the timing has moved.

You'll need assembly lube for the cam install... make sure your liberal with it on all the frictional surfaces. Seized cam = broken stuff very quickly.

[Camel]

Cam Bolts - 125 ft. lbs. Cap Bolts - 8 ft. lbs.

Be sure to loosen and tighten the cam caps in the correct sequence.

Yes it's a bolt on thing, but you'll need to check the valve lash (basically make sure your shims are correct) since the KA has mechanical lash adjustment. Incorrect lash sounds like a worn out lifter... loud valvetrain operation and it gets faster and louder with RPMs.

The KA is interferance so VERIFY your cam timing.

Set the engine at TDC on cylinder one (basically line up the cam timing marks and the timing chain marks). It allows you to visually see if the timing has moved.

You'll need assembly lube for the cam install... make sure your liberal with it on all the frictional surfaces. Seized cam = broken stuff very quickly.

Thanks for the good info. I have the FSM, so i know the tq for the caps and gears already. If i am correct, the only thing that i really need is a feeler gauge to check the valve lash once the thing has warmed up.

Do you think that using a set of 240/248's from a '91, that I will have to replace any shims?

I am trying to do this on the cheap. And if I don't feel comfortable with it, I am going to have to shell out the bucks and get it done by a local shop. (http://www.balancedperformance.com). The only thing that I don't like is that they told me that it is going to be 250 labor because they have to pull the timing covers and retime once they are done. This was contrary to all that I have read in the past. Maybe if they wanted to throw in some dyno time to tune it, but not just for a cam swap.

So I started researching and asking questions. The best document that I came up with was from a google search that ended up at JWT. They have a cam swap document for the ka24de with photos and everything. Best that I have seen so far.

I am extremely mechanically inclined. I have worked on electrical, maintenance, suspension, interior, custom fab work for stereo, custom alternator/pulley setups. (Installed professionally for about 6 years with a good Atlanta shop.) But I have never done any internal work on a large motor. (Everyone has pulled apart a lawnmower or two.)

I am figuring that this is probably the easiest place to start. Please correct me if I am wrong.

[Camel]

Anyone know what I should pay someone to install these cams? I had a good shop quote me 250 because they said they would have to retime it.

[240dreamer]

hey, let us know how they perform...oh yeah, just do it yourself or if you're in doubt, get a buddy who's worked with internals before to help you out. If you're really in doubt, pay for someone to do it like you planned to do if that happened. I'd say 250 sounds a little steep to me... offer to take the timing covers off if they'll lower the price. hehe

-Adam

[Nismo_Freak]

$250 is too high, it should take a shop no more than 1 hour to install cams which at even a high labor rate is under $100 bucks.

You don't have to re-time anything unless you do it improperly

[Camel]

That's what I thought Nismo. I am going to give them a call back and ask them for the truth this time... Thanks for the knock on the head to make sure i am thinking straight.

[Nismo_Freak]

No Problem